The Archaeological Area of Agrigento Sicily Italy 19 July 1996 Art

coming from the founder colony in Sicily, Gela,
around 580 BC. However, excavations have indicated
that there was an earlier Greek settlement here in the
7th century BC. It is a classic Greek settlement site,
on the flanks of a hill on the coast, and this allowed
the city to begin to expandfrom the original acropolis
(now occupied by the modem town) and to prosper
within a very short time after the 6th century
colonization. During the reign of the tyrant Phalaris
(570-555 BC) a system of defensive walls was built.
to reinforce the natural protection afforded by the
difficult topography. It was at this time that the series
of so-called Chthonic temples were built on the
south-west flank of the Temple hill.
Identification
Nomination
The Archaeological Area of
Agrigento
Location
Sicily
State Party
Italy
Date
19 July 1996
Justification
The political expansionism of Akragas begun under
Phalaris reached its height during the rule of the
tyrant Thero (488-473 BC). After defeating the
Carthaginians decisively in 480 BC at Himera he
extendedhis rule to the northern and eastern coastsof
Sicily. The wealth that this brought to the city, and
the cultural life that this wealth supported, are
illustrated by the great temples that were built at this
time on the southern extremity of the hill. One of its
most notable sons at this time was the philosopher,
doctor, and musician, Empedocles.
A democratic regime was established in the later 5th
century BC, and the city enjoyed a short period of
tranquillity, albeit one of rivalry with Syracuse.This
cameto a brutal end in 406 BC, when it was besieged
and sacked by the Carthaginians. It struggled to
regain its former glory, and succeededbriefly under
Timoleon, who crushed the Carthaginians in 340 BC
and brought in new colonists. However. the city
became a prize fought over by Romans and
Carthaginians. It first fell into Roman hands in 262
BC, and was definitively incorporated into the Roman
Empire in 210 BC.
by State Party
Art, history, and nature have made this place famous
from antiquity to the present day, as testified by
classical writers such as Pindar, Polybius, Diodorus
Siculus, and others, by historiographers of the 16th
and 17th centuries (Fazell, Cluverio), and artists and
travellers of the 18th and 19th centuries who left
behind them memorable texts and pictures. It is only
necessary to think of Houel, Saint-Non, Denon,
Swinbume, Brydone, and, above all, Goethe, in
whose Italiiinische Reise the most moving pages are
devoted to the natural and artistic beauties of
Agrigento.
During the last years of the Republic and in the Early
Empire, Agrigento, as it became known, benefited
from being the only market town still active on the
southern coast of Sicily. However, the decline of the
Western Empire and the ascendancy of Christianity
led to depopulation and impoverishment of the city.
[Note The State Party does not make any proposals
in the nomination dossier concerning the criteria
under which it considers the property should be
inscribed on the World Heritage List. However, in the
tentative list for Italy, sent to the UNESCO World
Heritage Centre on 28 June 1996, criteria ii, iii, iv, v,
and vi are quoted.]
From the 7th century AD onwards it shrank in size.
the older quarters being abandonedand the remaining
population clustering on the hill. The reduced
settlement was which was successively occupied by
the Arabs (who called it Kerkent or Girgent), in 829
and by the Normans (for whom it was Girgenti, the
name that it retained until 1927) in 1086.
Description
Category of property
The boundaries of the ancient city are defined by
natural features. It is dominated to the north by the
hill of Girgenti, where the modem town stands, and
the Rock of Athena, which was the ancient acropolis.
To east and west lie the rivers Akragas (modern San
Biagio) and Hvpsas (modem Drago). On the south is
the bluff along which the famous series of temples are
located; below is a broad plain stretching to the
mouth of the river San Leone, the port of the ancient
city.
In terms of the categories of cultural property set out
in Article 1 of the 1972 World Heritage Convention,
the archaeological area of Agrigento is a site.
History and Description
Histoly
According to tradition, the Greek town of Akragas
was founded by colonists from Rhodes and Crete
135
The Valley of the Temples, as it is known today,
covers most of the built-up part of the ancient city
and its public monuments. It is closed by the ridge
numing parallel to the sea that was assignedthe role
of a sacred area in antiquity. The area between the
acropolis and the temples was laid out in the early 5th
century BC (as contirmed by archaeological
excavations) on the traditional “Hippodamian” grid
pattern. Six decumani (main streets) are crossed at
right-angles by cardines, dividing it into insulae
roughly 3OOmlong.
is actually of early Roman date, but its form, that of a
small Ionic shrine set on a podium, is in GraecoAsiatic form, originating from Asia Minor.
Other features of this site are the upper and lower
agoras and the complex network of underground
aqueducts.
Management
and Protection
Legal status
The sacredarea was created in the secondhalf of the
6th century BC, as shown by the early temples at the
western end of the ridge. However, the most
impressive remains are those of the temples built
during the reign of Thero and after - to Herakles,
Olympian Zeus, Hera Lacinia, Vulcan, and Concord.
This area is linked with the residential part of the
town by a wide road.
The Valley of the Temples of Agrigento was
statutorily declared a Zone of National Interest under
the Law of 28 September 1966.
Decrees issued by the Ministries of Public Works (6
May 1968) and National Education (7 October 1971)
defined the perimeter and constraints on use of the
site. The perimeter was further confirmed legally by
the President of the Sicilian Region in Decree No 91
of 13 June 1991. This group of statutory instruments
imposes an absolute ban on any form of construction
within the prescribed area
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, only the foundations
and main altar of which survive, was one of the
largest of all Greek temples, measuring 112m by
56m, and it has some unusual features. Instead of the
more common open peristyle, it was surroundedby a
wall varied by immense Doric halGcolumns on the
outside and pilasters in the interior. The cella is
defined by two rows of massive quadrangularpillars
instead of internal walls, and was opento the sky.
Management
The area is in the course of being set up as an
Archaeological Park, under the management of the
Assessorata Regionale per i Beni Culturali.
Ambientali Pubblica Istruzione ed Educazionefor the
Sicilian Region and the Soprintendenza per i Beni
Culturali ed Ambientali di Agrigento.
The so-called Temple of Concord (a name for which
there seemsto be no authority) is the most impressive
surviving Doric temple in the Greek world after the
Parthenon in Athens. It has survived to a remarkable
degreeowing to its having been adaptedfor use as a
church in the 6th century AD. It is built on a fourlevel stylobate and is surrounded by 34 columns.
At the present time, 337ha are already in the
ownership of the Region and a further 550ha are
process of being acquired; it is planned in due course
to acquire another lOOha, making a total of around
1000ha.The fmal area is intended to cover 1400ha.
Built at the same time as the Temple of Concord and
in very similar style is the Temple of Hera Lacinia,
built at the easternend of the ridge, where remains of
the Greek fortifications can still be seen. It was
burned by the Carthaginians in 405 BC and traces of
the fire are still visible. Its arch&raveand the columns
on the north side are almost intact.
In the central area, which is that protected by law
(see “Legal status” above). no building may take
place. This is almost completely enclosed by an area
where there is a height restriction of 4.5Om and in a
further area on the coast to the south-eastof the main
area the height limit is 7.50m. The latter are deemed
to constitute a butTerzone.
The Temple of Herakles is earlier than the other
Doric temples on the ridge. It is hexastyle, with
f&en columns on the long sides. The eight columns
standingon the south side were re-erectedin 1923.
Conservation
and Authenticity
Conservation history
The two temples dedicated to the Chthonic
(underworld) divinities, Demeter and Persephone,
and that to the Dioscuri were begun in the 6th century
BC but rebuilt in 480-460 BC. The site was in all
probability sacred to indigenous peoples before the
arrival of the Creek colonists. There is an interesting
group of altars. some of them circular, with hollows
’ in them for conveying offerings to the underworld
gods.
Systematic research on the site began in the closing
years of the 18th century, encouragedby the Bourbon
rulers, who appointed the Prince of Torremuzza
conservatorfor Sicily, assistedby Signor Lo Presti of
Agrigento. They were responsible for the anastylosis
of the Temple of Hera in 1786 and the restoration of
the pediment of the Temple of Zeus the following
year. Excavation and survey of the latter began in
1802.
In addition to these outstanding monuments,there are
substantial excavated areas of the residential area of
Hellenistic and Roman Agrigento. A number of the
houseshave well preserved mosaic pavements.There
is also extensive ancient cemeteries on and south of
the ridge with tombs and monuments from the pagan
and Christian periods. The so-called Tomb of Theron
During the first half of the 19th century excavations
and restoration work took place at the Temples of
Demeter, Vulcan, Herakles, and the Dioscuri. The
four columns re-erected in the north-west comer of
the last-named temple in 1836 becamethe symbol of
the archaeological heritage of Agrigento. During the
secondhalf of the 19th and the early years of the 20th
136
century work continued on buildings within the
ancient city and in the cemeteries.
of vernacular buildings, that it acquired with the
disappearanceof the ancient city.
Research, conservation, restoration, and protection
programmes continue under the leadership of the
Soprintendenza di Agrigento, financed by the
Assessorato Regionale (see “Management” above).
National and international organizations are consulted
about and collaborate in many of these projects.
Comparative analysis
The great period of Greek colonization resulted in the
construction of many cities, as far apart as Spain and
the Crimea. Most were to be rebuilt in the Hellenistic
and Roman periods, so that much of what remains
today is not representative of Creek culture.
Agrigento has a special place among the classical
sites in the ancient world becauseof the way in which
it has preserved on the original commanding site, so
typical of Greek colonial settlements,very substantial
remains of a group of buildings from an early period,
not overlain by later structures or converted to suit
later tastes and cults.
There are problems relating to the stability of a
number of the monuments resulting from the nature
both of the rock on which the ancient city was built
and of the stone used in the buildings. Research is
currently under way by commissions set up by the
Sicilian Region.
The Soprintendenza has recently launched a
programme for the systematic survey, study, and
conservation of the temples. This meticulous and
comprehensiveproject has already begun to produce
exceptional results, visible in the striking appearance
both close at hand and from a distance, of some of the
major monuments, notably the Temple of Concord.
ICOMOS recommendations forfuture
action
There are three main sub-divisions within the area
proposed for the Archaeological Park and nominated
for inscription on the World Heritage List: a large
central area already owned by the Sicilian Regional
Government, an area surrounding it which is
scheduled for expropriation in the near future. and a
further area outside these. The first two of these areas
are those protected under Law No 10890939.
Authenticity
The authenticity of the Agrigento archaeological
ensemble is high. It must be recognized, of course,
that some restoration work carried out in the late 18th
and 19th centuries in no way conforms with the
principles of modem conservation, as set out in the
1964 Venice Charter. The restored pediment of the
Temple of the Dioscuri is an example of inaccurate
reconstruction that did not operate on the basis of
rigorous anastylosis. However, the authenticity of the
site is incontestable.
It became clear on studying the air photograph
submitted with the nomination dossier, and
confirmed by the expert mission on the ground, that
the third of these areas, and also the three outlying
areas designated as protection zones (aree di
riipetto), had been subject to unauthorized building
activities which have to a considerable extent
degradedtheir cultural value. The ICOMOS mission
therefore proposed to the Provincial authorities that
the area to be nominated should be confined to the
State-owned proprietir demaniale (ie the first two
areas identified above), with the remaining areasas a
buffer zone. This proposal was acceptedand a revised
plan was prepared that incorporated the ICOMOS
recommendations.
Evaluation
Action by ICOMOS
An ICOMOS expert mission visited Agrigento in
March 1997. ICOMOS also consulted a distinguished
British expert on classical archaeology on the cultural
significance of the site.
ICOMOS is concerned at the low level of funding
currently available for conservation and restoration
work. The Soprintendenza has a well researched
programme for progressive conservation and
restoration interventions, but these have received a
check with a recent cut of 80%. ICOMOS therefore
urges the relevant authorities to reconsider its policy
in this respect, given the importance of tourism to the
economy of an economically disadvantagedregion.
Dr Motmir Bouchenaki, Director of the UNESCO
Division of Physical Heritage, kindly made available
a copy of the report of his mission to Agrigento on S12 May 1996.
Qualities
Pindar described the Agrigento of his day as ‘the
most beautiful of mortal cities.” Many contemporary
visitors would echo his views, because of the
magnificence of the site and the quality of the
excavated remains. The temples in particular are
among the most impressive and best preserved from
the Creek world.
At its meeting in June 1997, the Bureau referred this
nomination back to the State Party to provide
assurancesof adequate funding for the management
and maintenance of this property. No reply had been
received to this request at the time that this
evaluation was sent for printing (early September).
In view of the fact that the modem town covers only a
relatively small part of the area of the ancient city,
the vast area proposed for inscription on the World
Heritage List may be consideredto have something of
the nature of a cultural landscape. The row of great
temples are the only significant upstanding
monuments; the remainder of the site has preserved
the rural setting of fields and orchards, with a handful
Recommendation
In the event of the assurancerequestedby the Bureau
being received before its Extraordinary Meeting in
November 1997, ICOMOS recommends that this
117
property, as revised, be inscribed on the World
Heritage List on the basis of criieria 4 ii, iii, and iv:
Agrigento was one of the greatest cities of the
ancient Mediterranean world, and it has been
preserved in an exceptionally intact condition. Its
great row of Doric temples is one of the most
outstanding monuments of Greek art and culture.
ICOMOS, September1997
138
.
deja vers le 7bm”siecle avant J.-C. II s’agit d’un site
de peuplement grec classique, sur le flanc d’une
colline du littoral permettant a la viIle de lancer son
expansion 1 partir de l’acropole originelle,
actuellement occup& par la ville modeme, et de
prosperer t&s rapidement apres la colonisation du
gem’si&cle. Un systeme de mum defensifs destines i
renforcer la protection naturelle assur&e par la
topograpbie locale est construit au GOUTS
du regne du
tyran Phalaris (570-555 avant J.-C.). C’est de cette
epoque que date la construction des temples
chtoniens, sur le coteau sud-ouest de la colline des
temples.
Identification
Bien proposh
Zone archeologiqued’Agrigente
Lieu
Side
Etat Partie
Italie
Date
19juillet 1996
Justification
Entame sous Phalaris, l’expansionnisme politique
d’Akragas atteint son apogeesous le regoe du tyran
Tberon (488-473 avant J.-C.). Apris la defaite
decisive des Carthaginois a Himere en 480
avant J.-C, Theron &and sa domination aux &es
septentrionale et orientale de la Sicile. Les grands
temples construits i cette $oque d l’extremite sud de
la colline sont autant de gages de la prosperite que
connait ainsi la ville et de l’$anouissement culture1
sous-jacent. Le philosophe, m&de& et musicien
Empedocle est l’un de ses fils les plus remarquables
de ce temps.
dmanant de I’Etat Partie
L’art, l’histoire et la nature ont &abli la notori& que
cet endroit connait depuis l’Antiquiti, comme en
temoignent des auteurs classiques conrme Pmdare,
Polybe, Diodore de Sicile ou d’autres, des
historiographes des 16&’ et 17’S”esiecles (Paz+,
Cluver) ainsi que les artistes et voyageurs des lSeme
et 19”O’ si&cles qui nous ont laisse d’inoubliables
textes et representations picturales. II suffit de se
rememorer Houel, Saint-Non, Denon, Swinbume,
Brydone, et par-dessustout Goethe, dont les pages
les plus emouvantes de l’ltalitinische Reise sent
consacrQs aux merveilles naturelIes et artistiques
d’ Agrigente.
Un regime democratique est etabli vers la fin du 5&“’
sibcle avant J.-C. et, malgre sa rivalite avec
Syracuse, la ville connalt une courte p&ode de
tranquillite, qui s’acheve brutalement en 406
avant J.-C. lors du siege et du pillage par les
Carthaginois. Elle lutte pour recouvrer sa gloire
anciemre, ce h quoi elle parvient brievement sous
Timolion, qui 6crase les Carthaginois en 340
avant J.-C. et introduit de nouveaux colons.
Toutefois, la viIle devient un objet de convoitise tant
pour les Romains que pour les Carthaginois. Elle
tombe tout d’abord aux mains des Romains en 262
avant J.-C. avant d&e d&initivement integree a
1’Empire romain en 210 avant J.-C.
[Note : Dans le dossier de proposition d’inscription,
l’Etat Partie ne fait aucune proposition quant aux
criteres au titre desquelsil considere que ce bien doit
etre inscrit sur la Liste du Patrimoine mondial.
Toutefois, la liste indicative de l’halie envoy&e au
Centre du Patrimoine mondial de l’UNBSC0 le 28
juin 1996, fait &at des wit&es ii, iii, iv, v et vi.]
C’est au cours des demieres an&es de la Republique
et du debut de I’Empire qu’Agrigente, alors connue
sous ce nom, profite de sa situation d’unique ville
marchande encore active sur la tote meridionale de
la Smile. &pendant, le declin de 1’Empire
d’occident et la progression du christianisme
entrainent son d$euplement et son appauvrissement.
Cahgorie de bien
Eistoire et Description
A partir du 7&’ sibcle apres J.-C., sa superficie
s’amoindrit, les an&ens quartiers &ant abandonnes
alors que la population subsistantese regroupe sur la
colhne. Le peuplement restreint sera successivement
occupd par les Arabes, qui I’appelleront Kerkent ou
Gergent en 839 et en 1086 par les Normands, POW
1esquelIeselle sera Girgenti, nom qu’elle conservera
jusqu’en 1927.
Histoire
Description
Selon la tradition, la formation de la ville grecque
d’ilkragas est l’ozuvre de colons de Rhodes et de
Crete, venus de Gela, leur colonie sicilienne
d’origine vers 580 avant J.-C. Toutefois, les fouilles
indiquent qu’un peuplement grec plus ancien existait
Les limites de la cite antique sont definies par le
relief naturel. Elle est dominee au nord par la colline
de Giigenti, site de la ville modeme, et par le rocher
d’Ath&na, l’ancienne acropole. Les rivieres Akragas
(l’actuelle San Biagio) et Hypsas (a present nommee
Eu termes de categories de biens, telles qu’elles sont
definies Q Particle premier de la Convention du
Patrimoine mondial de 1972, la Zone archeologique
d’ Agrigente est un site.
147
Drago) se trouvent i l’est et i l’ouest. La falaise sur
1aquelIeest constnute la fameuse &rie de temples se
trouve au sud ; plus bas, une vaste plaine s’etend
jusqu’i l’embouchure du fleuve San Leone, port de la
cite antique.
comme celui consacreaux Dioscures sont construits
une premiere fois au 6;“’ siecle avant J.-C., puis
rebatis de 480 a 460 avant J.-C. Selon toute
probabihtd, avant l’arrivee des colons grecs, la
population indigene tenait deja ce site pour sacre. On
note un intkressant groupe d’autels, dont certains
sont circulaires et &ides afin d’acheminer les
ofhandes aux dieux du monde souterrain.
La vallee des Temples, nom modeme du site, couvre
la majorite de la partie construite de la cite antique et
de ses monuments publics. Elle est verrouillQ par
une crhe parallele a la mer, h laquelle la qualite de
zone sac& avait ete a&c&
dam 1’AntiquitC.
Comme les fouilles archeologiques l’ont confirme,
l’agencement de la zone comprise entre l’acropole et
les temples date du debut du 5”“’ siecle avant J.-C. 11
repose sur la grille traditionnelle d’Hippodamos de
Milet : six decumani (rues principales) sont coup&es
i angle droit par les cardines, qui les divisent en
insulae d’environ 300 m de long.
Les importantes zones de fouilles du quartier
risidentiel hellenistique et romain d’Agrigente
s’ajoutent h ces extraordinaires monuments.
Certaines maisons ont conserve des pavements de
mosaque en bon &tat. Les grands cimetieres antiques
situ& sur la c&e ainsi que dans sa partie sud
comprennent des tombes et monuments datant des
epoquespakme et chretienne. La tombe dite cctombe
de Theron)) date en rClite du debut de la p&ode
romaine mais sa forme, qui est celle d’un petit
sanctuaire ionique biti sur un podium, est grecoasiatique, style originaire d’Asie Mineure.
La creation de la zone sac&e remonte i la seconde
moitie du 6”“e siecle avant J.-C., comme en
temoignent les premiers temples situ& a I’ouest de la
c&e. Toutefois, les vestiges les plus impressionnants
sont ceux des temples biitis B partir du regue de
Theron, consacres h Hkrakles, au Zeus Olympien, a
Hera Lacinia, a Vulcain et a la Concorde. Une large
route relie cette zone a la partie rksidentielle de la
ville.
Les autres elements de ce site sont les agoras
superieureet inferieure ainsi que le complexe reseau
d’aqueducssouterrains.
Gestion et Protection
Avec ses dimensions de 112 m par 56 m, le temple
de Zeus Olympian, dont seules les formations et
l’autel principal subsistent, etait l’un des plus grands
de tous les temples gets et se distinguait par des
particular&& inhabituelles. PlutSt que le traditionnel
p&style ouvert, il etait encercle dun mur agremente
de gigantesquesdemi-colomres doriques a l’extkrieur
et de pilastres a l’interieur. La cella, i ciel ouvert, est
delimitee par deux rangkes de massifs piliers
quadrangulairesen guise de mum inkrieurs.
Statut juridique
La vallee des Temples d’Agrigente est classeeZone
d’Int&t national selon les dispositions de la loi du
28 septembre1966.
Le d&ret du 6 mai 1968 du Ministere des Travaux
Publics ainsi que celui du 7 octobre 1971 du
Ministere de I’Education Nationale definissent le
perim~re et les contraintes relatives i l’exploitation
du site. Le d&et N” 91 pris le 13 juin 1991 par le
President de la Region Sicilienne con&e au
perimetre une confirmation juridique suppl&mentaire.
Ce faisceau de mesures statutaires interdit totalement
toute construction au sein de la zone definie.
Apres le Parthenon d’Ath&nes, le (<temple de la
Concorde >j’),nom qui ne correspond apparemment a
aucune designation consacrke, est le plus
impressionnant des temples doriques du monde grec.
II a remarquablement sun&u grace a sa conversion
en &&se au 6R”esiecle aprbs J.-C.. 11repose sur un
stylobate a quatre niveaux et est entoure de 34
colonnes.
Gestion
La zone est en cours de classement en tant que Pam
archiologique. sous la gestion de 1’Assessorato
Regionale per i Beni Culturali, Ambientali Pubblica
Istruzione ed Educazione pour la region sicilienne et
de la Soprintendenza per i Beni Culturali ed
Arnbientali d’Agrigente.
Construit a la meme kpoque que le temple de la
Concorde et dans un style t&s proche, le temple
d’Hera Lacinia se dressei l’extremite orientale de la
c&e, ou des vestiges de fortifications grecques
subsistent. Les traces de l’incendie, ceuvre des
Carthaginois en 405 avant J.-C., sont toujours
visibles. L’architrave et les colormes de sa fagade
nord sont quasiment intactes.
La region est actuellement proprietaire de 337 ha et
une superficie supplementairede 550 ha est en cours
d’acquisition. La region prevoit i terme une autre
acquisition de 100 ha, qui portera le total i environ
1000ha. La zone definitive devrait couvrir 1400 ha.
Le temple d’H&akles est plus recent que les autres
temples doriques de la Crete. Temple hexastyle, ses
fagades les plus longues sont omkes de quinze
colonnes. Les huit colonnes de la fa9ade sud ont Be
erigeesde nouveau en 1923.
Aucune construction n’est autorisee dans la zone
centrale jouissant d’une protection juridique (voir
(( Statut juridique )) ci-dessus). Cette zone est
presque totalement encerclQ par un p&m&re a
l’interieur duquel aucune construction ne peut
depasser 4,50 m de hauteur ainsi que d’une zone
Les deux temples consacres aux divinites
chtoniennes (infemales), D&Gter et Per&phone
148
littorale supplementaire, au sud-est de la zone
principale et dans laquelle la hauteur limite est de
7,50 m. Ces zones sont consider&s comme zone
tampon.
Evaluation
Action de 1 ‘ICOMOS
Une mission d’expert de I’ICOMOS a visite
Agrigente en mars 1997. L’ICOMOS a d’autre part
consulte, quant a la port&e culturelIe du site, un
eminent expeit britannique en archeologic classique.
Le Dr Mounir Bouchenaki, Directeur de la Division
du Patrimoine Physique de l’UNESC0 a foumi une
exemplaire du compte-rendu de sa mission i
Agrigente, du 8 au 12 mai 1996.
Conservation et Authenticit
Historique de la conservation
L’etude systematique du site ddbute au cours des
dernibes antrees du lSae siecle, sous l’impulsion
des Bourbon, qui nomment le prince de Torremuzza
conservateur pour la Sicile, avec l’assistance du
Signor Lo Presti d’Agrigente. En 1786, ils sont
responsables de l’anastylose du temple d’H&a et,
l’annee suivante, de la restauration du fronton du
temple de Zeus, dont les fouilIes et l’etude
commencenten 1802.
Caract&istiques
Selon la description que Pindare fait de 1’Agrigente
de son temps, il s’agit de u la plus belle des cites
mortelles )), opinion partagee par de nombreux
visiteurs actuels en raison de la bear.& du site et de
la qualitd des vestiges mis au jour. Les temples,
particulierement, comptent parmi les Plus
impressionnants et les mieux preserves du monde
gr=
Des travaux de restauration ont lieu dam la premiere
moitie du 19e”’ si&le sur les temples de D&meter,
Vulcain, Heraklbs et des Dioscures. Les quatre
colonnes &ig&es de nouveau en 1836 d l’angle nordouest du temple des Dioscures deviendront le
symbole du patrimoine archeologique d’Agrigente.
Les travaux sur certains bstiments de la cite antique
et dans les cimetikes, se poursuivent pendant la
seconde moitie du 19me si&cle et les premieres
an&es du 20&” siecle.
Comme la ville modeme ne couvre qu’une partie
relativement faible de la zone de la cite antique. la
vaste zone proposeepour inscription sur la Liste du
Patrimoine mondial peut etre conside& comme
i&grant certains aspects d’un paysage culturel. Les
grands temples align& sont les seuls monuments
d’importance rest& debout, alors que le reste du site
a preserve un environnement rural de champs et
vergersparsemesd’une poignee de b&nents de style
local datant de la disparition de la cite antique.
Les programmes de recherche, conservation,
restauration et protection continuent sous la direction
de la Soprintendenza d’Agrigente, g&e
au
financement de 1’Assessorato Regionale (voir
<<Gestion )>plus haut). Des organismesnationaux et
intemationaux sont consult& et collaborent a nombre
de ces projets.
Analyse comparative
La grande p&ode de la colonisation grecque s’est
traduite par la construction de nombreusesvilles, de
I’Espagne i la Crim&e, dont la plupart seront
reconstruites au cours des p&iodes hellenistique et
romaine. Une grande partie des vestiges actuels ne
sont done pas representatifs de la culture grecque.
Agrigente occupe une place particuliere parmi les
sites classiquesdu monde antique en raison du mode
de preservation d’importants vestiges d’un groupe de
b&nents plus anciens sur le site primordial originel,
qui ne seront pas recouverts par des structures
ulterieures ni convertis en fonction d’autres gouts ou
cultes.
Plusieurs monuments presentent des problemes de
stabilite dus tant a la nature du rot sur lequel la cite
antique est construite qu’i la pierre des bWnents.
Une etude est actuellement &ah&e par des comites
con&u& par la Region Sicilienne.
La Soprintendenzaa recemment lance un programme
systematiquede recherche, etude et conservation des
temples. Ce projet meticuleux et global a d’ores et
deja produit des resultats exceptionnels, attest& de
pres comme de loin par I’aspect saisissantde certains
monuments fondamentaux tels que le temple de la
Concorde.
Recommandations de 1 ‘ICOMOS pour des actions
jiitures
Authenticiti
Le Part archeologique qui correspond a la zone
proposie pour inscription sur la Liste du Patrimoine
subdivisions
trois
mondial
comprend
principales : une vaste zone centrale appartenantdeja
au gouvemement de la Region Sicilienne. une zone
peripherique darts laquelle l’expropriation doit
inteNenir sous peu et une zone exteme
supplimentaire. Les deux premieres zones sont
protegeespar la loi No 1089/1939.
Le degre d’authenticitd de l’ensemble archeologique
d’Agrigente est dleve. Bien evidemment, il convient
d’admettre que certain-s travaux de restauration
ex$cut& i la fin des lSme et 19aD’siecles ne sont en
aucun point conformes aux principes de conservation
modemes tels qu’ils sont definis par la Charte de
Venise de 1964. Le fronton restaure du temple des
Dioscures est un exemple de reconstruction
imprecise ne pro&ant
pas d’une anastylose
rigoureuse. L’authenticite du site n’en reste pas
mains incontestable.
Les photographiesa&iemres accompagnantle dossier
de proposition d’inscription ainsi que la confhmation
149
apporke par la mission d’expert sur le site font
clairement apparaitre que la troisieme de ces zones
comme les trois zones exterieures d&g&es en tant
que zones de protection (aree di rispetto), ont COMU
des activites de construction non autoriskes qui ont
considerablementamoindri leur valeur culturelle. La
mission de I’ICOMOS propose par consequent aux
autoritis provinciales que la zone proposke pour
inscription soit limitee B la proprietb demaniale
appartenanta 1’Etat (c’est-i-dire les deux premieres
zones identifiees plus haut), les autres zones
constituant une zone tampon. Cette proposition a ktt6
accepteeet un plan revise elabore qui tient compte
des recommandationsde I’ICOMOS.
L’ICOMOS s’inquiete du faible niveau de
financement actuellement disponible pour les travaux
de conservation et de restauration. La Soprintendenza
dispose d’un programme d’interventions de
conservation et de restauration bien document6 mais
pour lequel le financement re9u tkknoigne dune
rdcente amputation de 80 %. Connaissant
l’importance du tourisme dam une iconomie locale
defavorisee, I’ICOMOS invite done instamment les
autorites concern& a reconsiderer leur politique B
cet egard.
A l’occasion de la reunion de juin 1997, le Bureau a
renvoye cette proposition d’inscription i l’Etat Partie
afin qu’il foumisse l’assurance dun tinancement
adkprat pour la gestion et l’entretien de ce bien.
Aucune r$onse sur ce point nest parvenue au
moment oh cette evaluation est envoyke P
l’impression (debut septembre).
Recommandation
Si l’assurance demand&e par le Bureau est re9ue
avant la reunion extraordinaire du Bureau en
novembre 1997,l’ICOMOS recommandeque ce bien
soit inscrit sur la Liste du Patrimome mondial sur la
. . . ...
basedes crit2res I, rr, ~1 et iv :
Agrigente est l’une des plus grandes cites
antiques du bassin m&literran&n. Son &at de
conservation est exceptionnellement intact et sa
grande rang&ede temples doriques constitue l’un
des Plus extraordinaires ensembles de
monuments de l’art et de la culture grecs.
ICOMOS, septembre1997
150